Weekly Writing 4

The film "YASUKUNI", which focus on the controversial topic of Yasukuni Shrine, was prohibited to seen in most of movie theaters. Many controverses were rised over this issue. While one position think the film should be seen in any movie theater, the other side strongly disagree. This "Yasukuni" controversy, whether it should be screen or not, is not just about the movie. The controversy contains some political aspects, human right aspect, as well as historical aspect.

Here is one of the numerous arguments about "YASUKUNI" film controversy, made by Asahi newspaper.

(1)Claim of degree: Shutting out the film "Yasukuni" is wrong action.
(2) Support: It will dangers our freedom of speech.
(3) Warrant: We knew that the world without Freedom of Speech are really bad society. Also, the author specifically aim to the Japanese people by using the commonplace: Japanese history of during the war where no freedom of speech was. The author speak to the audience directly by saying that we all experienced how painful it is to live in the society where no freedom of speech exist.


When it comes to the issue which "Yasukuni" film is being shut out, one of major Japanese newspaper, Asahi criticized this goverment and theater's action. Unlike Director Li Ying, Asahi did not touch on the film's contents which calls a lot of controversy for wether it is anti-Japanese or not. Rather, Asahi talked about the importance of freedom of speech and abuse of power in its argument. First, Asahi argued that their action is wrong because it violates people's Freedom of speech. This argument makes sense because we all know film is one of the forms to express our opinion. As the film were prohibited to be screened, so is one's freedom of speech.

Asahi pointed out what is like to live in the society which no Freedom of Speech exists. This aimed at the audience's shared belief; the belif that all Japanese people have. Ruled by dictatorship, Japanese people had no Freedom of Speech during the war. They were not allow to say anything that critisize goverment or war. After its loss, Japan turned into democracy where treasure Freedom of Speech. At the same time, people's belif on previous society without Freedom of Speech tured into negative (something evil, and something they dont believe at all, and something it would never gona happen)
If the government ordered, people could say nothing, but obeied.


The argument also appealed to audience emotion. Asahi said, "We knew how much stuffy to live in the society where you can't say or practice anything as you want to do. And we know how corrupted that kind of society would be- because of our (something that you wish you didn't experienced) experience 60 years ago". This line appeals to audience' emotion by recalling the painful experience they had.

Overall, I would say that the Asahi did good job in terms of using rhetorics. Shutting out the film "Yasukuni" is wrong because it violates the freedom of speech---Asahi's argument was shown persuasive because it aimed at audience's shared belifs as it appeals to their emotion.






Now, here is an argument from Horiuchi, the editor of Bunshu Weekly Magazine as well as the author of known book"Yasukuni". While Asahi supports the film to be screened, Horiuchi does not clearly state his position on it. However, he clearly criticize the film saying "in some degree, 'YASUKUNI' operates mind control by using fault information and the description which could mislead audience" (Bungei Syunsyu vol 86, 208). To support the claim, he uses questionable senses from "YASUKUNI" film, and pointed out their mistake. For example, Horiuchi argud that the sprit of the shrine described as "Katana (Japanese particular sord)" in the film is actually sord according to the history of Yasukuni shrine. When people see the documents which contains too many mistakes, they don't trust the information. Like this, Horiuchi persuade the audience to not trust the film "YASUKUNI" by listing series of misinformation in it. Also, Horiuchi empathize his long-time research and experience on Yasukuni shrine. Here he is trying to establish ethos, the credibility of himself. Audiences easily believe if the sourses was credible, knowledgeble and had many experience on the topic. That is why sick people believe what doctor says more than what little kids say. Horiuchi also described his discomfort when he actually watched the film. He discribed that he felt somewhat out of space at the very beggining of the film. Horiuchi's argued that "YASUKUNI" operates mind control is achieved by listing a lot of falt information in the film, telling his discomfort on watching the film, and his showing credibility. His credibility and discomfort implyies that he could notice the disconfort because he has knowledge on Yasukuni more than ordinal people. That means, that ordinal people are most likely mind controlled by watching the film.


Claim: "YASUKUNI" is mind controlling film.
Support: It contains many misleading information. His experience of discomfort when he first saw the film. Statistic and facts about himself, and which explain he has knowledge on Yasukuni shrine more than ordinal people.
Warrant: Documents with many fault information is not reliable. It is more easy to believe sayings of one with a lot of experience and knowledge than sayings of one with nothing. Knowledgeble person can reveal hidden secret behind the screen while ordinal people can't.

Personally, I think Horiuchi's argument is not so persuasible. Some warrants does not make sense. For example, "knowledgeble person can reveal truth while ordinal people can't"- this warrant is not nessesary right. I think it varies depends on situation. For instance, in the high level field of study such as medicine, ordinal people might not able to reveal the truth because midecine is far away from our everyday life. However, like wathcing movie is part of our daily life. We all had education and learning as we grow up. That said, it is not hard for ordinal people to reveal weather it is mind controlling or not. Most of the time, people can notice when somebody is trying to mind control on you. I think Horiuch's argument is simply implying we are damm.

Seattle sports fun? Writing to evaluate

While Seattle has negative reputation for its sports fans, Jerry argued that its virtual image should be re-considered with their real images. His attempt to support the claim- such as uses of facts and quotes, and emotional appeals are seems reasonable, however, fails in terms of degree in persuasion. fails because they are nothing but just an exaggeration, an excuse and consolation.



Jerry drew true image of Seattle sports fans by giving facts and quotes. to overwrite their "quiet fan" stereotype. Having high number of sold tickets, laudest studium and best homecourt; praiseworthly support even teams are in longtime-loose; ---these are the "real" Seattle fans according to Jerry. Although these facts are true, they do not support the claim completely. Nothing is proven that how these facts can prove that they are not boring fans. Even though all the tickets were sold, if people went home before the games over, it is not passionate fans. Even though they made the studium laudest, it could be fans from opposing team. Supporting even though the team keep loosing could be interpreted as bad fans who doesjn't care weather they win or not.

Jerry also draw haw Seattle fans are used to be seen in the past still bothers them today. He pointed out the characteristic of historical Seattle, saying that it represents how others see the fans. I think what he is trying to prove here is too forcible. His reasoning; because the city is old, the people are seen as old too, therefore Seattle fans are seen as quite boring fans, is logical but not valid. For instance, there are many people who does not represent the city. Plus, the example of how L. A. and Chicago fans are seen, could be any fans of any states. How people see the city does not do with how they see the sports fans. There are no connection between these two, since no connectionare proven. Therefore, how people see Seattle sport fan is not perception or city reflection, but shows reality.

Wired rules lies my high school

The high school that I attended was a little bit strange, in good way, was unique. It was Japanese boarding school locates, somehow, in Switzerland. As it was in Switzerland, the teachers were half Japanese and half Americans. The official language was English, although it was ignored because all students are Japanese who doesn't speak English very well. Living in this a little strange place, I found many rules lies in the school.

First, there were some restrictions on which destination you travel to. Locating in the middle of Europe, Switzerland is perfect place to travel to other countries. However, we were not allowed to go to Netherlands for example. We couldn't go to Spain either. Also, every time we travel, we have to write a purpose of the travel, specific dates, flight schedule etc.

What did I think of these rules? Of course when I was high school, I was wondered why we can't go anywhere we want to. We used to live in such a great location, and this was the only time we can travel Europe easily. If we were in Japan, we hardly travel to Europe.

However, this rule is very important in terms of our safety. For example, Netherlands is regal for Mariwana. If we go there, we might get into dangerous situation. Also, what if we missed the plane? Since we don't speak any European language and speak broken English, it will be almost impossible to get another plane tickets, and go back to school. Because school keeps on track where we are, we can go places safely. If something happened to us, the school will help us out. If we got lost, the school will find us. For our safety and the school makes those rules. The school has right to make such rules because it has responsibilities to protect us.

Class writing 1/26 Press Release

Washington, Monday, January, 26, 2010- Seattle University, showed its significant response to the Haiti tragedy as one of the traditional Christian University.

"We must respond as individual" said the president of SU Father Sundborg, "and as members of this university with its special commitment to the poor.

Campus Ministry will be the main place for the response to this tragedy of Haiti in Seattle University. Sean Bray, Social Justice Minister in Campus Ministry, will be the point person and organizes the responses and its development.

Seattle University will offer Mass opportunities so that students can also response to Haiti people on campus. The Mass will be held one in Chapel of St Ignatius, and the other in Ecumenical Chapel.

As one of the oldest christian universities, Seattle University showed its significant response to Haiti tragedy with its special commitment to the poor. Seattle University will continue its response to Haiti, as well as its commitment to the poor in the world.

Weekly Writing #3

Weather Japanese prime minister visiting Yasukuni Shrine is good or bad, has been a controversy over decades across the borders. On the one hand, from constitutional perspective, people argues that any kids of public officers visiting the Yasukuni publicly or privately is unconstitutional. Culturally, people in Japan think it is proper actions for nations' Representative figure to visit Yasukuni and show gratitude and respect for ancestors who sacrificed their lives to nation. On the other hand, from colonial P.O.V., people in Korea, Taiwan and China argues that Japanese prime minister praying homage at Yasukuni justifies Japanese colonial rules over their countries. Others such as Western countries maintain neutral positions in order to maintain good relationship with Japan, but opinions vary in individuals. For example, Michael Jordan Green, a National Security Council Asia Chair, argued that demanding suspension for Japanese prime minister to visit Yasukuni is bad mistake; It is wrong to say Japan forgets the responsibility of their colonialism. On the other hand, Tomas Peter Lantos, a Democratic member of the United States House Representatives argued that visiting Yasukuni and praying homage to A-class war criminal is same as praying homage for Hitler and Stalin. Therefore, Japanese prime minister visiting Yasukuni is unmoral and it is not something great nation such as Japan would do.

Letter to my brother

Dear Daichi, (my Brother)

It's now year of 2010 and this is your 2nd time you repeated a year. But still, you are not trying to quit school. I know you are worrying how other people and society will judge you if you quit college.

Life in Japanese college is like a heaven. You don't have to go class, and you have seldom homework. You can go party every day and being lazy all weekend. You are part from parents, so nobody is nagging to you. SO you want to stay as a college students forever. Also, you

But you can't do this forever. You can't repeat same year again and again. I think 2010 is the best year for you to make a big change in your life. I really want you to withdraw from school, and go travel around the world. When I was 15 years old, I moved to Switzerland, and have seen around the Europe. There I've met many people from different cultures and values. Every time I see different values and culture, myself were improved. I've also been to poor countries and seen people living under despair. All the experiences I had in traveling around the world make me grow up as a human beings.

Right now, growing up in small town in Japan, your view is very provincial. That's why you care so much about how other people and society will look at you. That's why you cannot take a step forward. If you go out of the country and see the world, you will realize that you are warring about such a small things. You will realize there are more important things than decency, academic background in the world out there.

Weekly Writing 2

(1) In the documentary film called "YASUKUNI", Director Lin In appealed for Japanese proper reactions to explain why Yasukuni shrine has became worldwide problematic place, and their responsibilities to solve this long-time political and historical controversy clinging to Yasukuni shrine. With 10 years of shooting documentary about Yasukuni poloblem, Lin tried to show the truth of what is really happening at Yasukuni shrine today. With the unbelievable senses from the film which a lot of Japanese people haven't seen with their own eyes--- Japanese military veterans visiting Yasukuni in full regimentals, and an American carrying the babier for his own nations' flag; a Japanese college student protesting against singing the national athem, and group of people who misunderstood the student as a Chinese student shouting at him to go back to China--- Lin asked audience to define Yasukuni shrine; what and how it should be. Lin also argued that it is impossible to pay homage only for particular people at Yasukuni shrine due to its complicate character. Therefore, he argued that pre-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who has political influence, should not have visit Yasukuni, and Japan need to make a proper judgement for separation of politics and spirituality.

(2) Although he made a documentary on such controversial and sentimental issue, Director Lin In succeeded in his argument and film. One of his argument on Yasukuni controversy; Japan need to explain and solve this issue, is reasonable since it is not only issue in Japan, but involving other countries such as China, Korea, Taiwan, even western countries. Also, I agree with his argument against Junichiro Koizumi visiting a shrine. As a Japanese prime minister, Koizumi should have been more aware of his influential power as a political figure. It is not same as a normal Japanese citizens visits the shrine. Also, since Yasukuni shrine has only one God, it is impossible to pay homage for particular group. No matter to whom Koizumi pay homage, he is paying homage to all people who are enshrined to Yasukuni, and it includes class A war criminals. That said, it is not right place to visit for the Japanese Prime Minister who gave up war forever. Paying homage to A-class war criminals clearly means supporting the war.

(3)Lin In's argument in film called "YASUKUNI" called many skepticism to bear. First of all, the fact that Lin In is from China made his argument doubtful. As he was born in China, his values and assumptions must be based on China, and that will brings some cultural and historical perceptions into his arguments. There is a contradictions in his arguments when Lin argued that it is Japanese responsibilities to solve the issue while he also said that Yasukuni issue is worldwide controversy. Also, when Lin argued that pre-Prime Minister Koizumi cannot pray homage only for particular people, I would argued that it is depends on individual's belief. The most important thing is our hearts when we pray homage at the shrine. If Koizumi prayed homage for war victims, his pray goes only for them. Also, we all have freedom of praying and freedom of belief. Critisizing Koizumi praying is against human right. No matter he is Prime Minister of Japan, he is a human being; therefore, he has right to prey whenever he wants.

(4) In terms of analysis on rhetorical situation, the author is Lin In, a film director who is born in China, but grow up in Japan almost 20 years. He decided to make his documentary film because Yasukuni shrine is been controversy for decades, and its controversy became worldwide problem. He is responding to the event on August 15th 2006, when then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni shrine. Koizumi's argued that he pay homage to only for war victims and their families but not for the class-A war criminal. In response, Lin argued that Japan need to separate its politics and religion. The constrains of his argument was that it is cultural, religious, and historical issue.

Exercise #5 Letter to Editor

In her recent article about the Tacoma shooting incident, Sue Rahr argued that community's safety is responsibility of both law enforcement and community's collaboration. I agree with her idea of "new reality" which police and our community are facing. The reality that police officers are in risk, the reality that our community are in unsafe, and the reality that the relationship between police and our community will be intense. As Sue argued, I believe the only way to avoid these realities is to be united and work together. We should fight together against the new realities which is threatening us and our community. As a member of community, we should all understand and support police and protect our community.

Exercise #4 analysis Sue Rahr

In Sue Rahr's article which was a response to the homicide of police officers in Tacoma, she argues how much this incidents hurt police officer and people, but at the same time, she also argued how much people supported police officer. Sue stated that people showed their support for police service by sending letters, flowers, sweets and by "thank you". Sue's article was successful in terms of having commonplace. There are three kinds of commonplace: conjecture, degree, and possibility. In Sue's article, commonplace of conjecture is seen when she talk about what happened in Tacoma and what happened in 9/11. These two events are something happened in the past and also something commonly shared among the audience. Next, commonplace of degree is used when she compared Tacoma incidents and 9/11. She said she feel same way as she felt during 9/11. Also, she connect her feeling for the event with audience's feeling at the end of the article. She told audience to not forget how they felt during 9/11. That feeling is shared commonly among audience. Finally, commonplace of possibility can also be used. Sue talked about how this incidents might damage the relationship between police and people. Her commonplace of possibility is "is it possible to keep the relationship between police and people".

Exercise # 3

The year of 2009 was very fresh and new. It was my first year at SU, and first time to live by myself in Seattle city. It was new school, new people, and new life. However, I also think it was really busy year too. I was driven crazy because of tons of academic work, tutoring, working at collegium, volunteers, and Internship etc. I think the reason I was driven crazy is because I was trying to obtain all the opportunities SU offers. From this experience, I learned that I wasn't doing right time management. So, I think 2010 will be more relaxing. I want to take things slow this year. Of course It's good that you challenge many things. But it is more important to manage your time and your ability. Rather than trying new things, this year of 2010, I want to keep what I have been doing from 2009. However, it is also true that 2010 will be big turing point for me. First I will be graduating, then, I have to get a job, and then going back to Japan. So I in order to graduate and get a job, I still have to work hard. In addition, I want to go India. In 2009, I couldn't really go other countries besides going back to Japan, so after graduate, I hope I can go traveling a lot. I want to go India, Thailand, Mexico, and maybe Asian counties. During school period, there is no time for traveling, so I wish I can go traveling after I graduate. I think traveling is great things to do because you can get to see the world you never seen.

Exercise 1/12

I love coffee. I drink coffee at least one cap a day. Sometimes I drink more than three times a day. My favioret place for coffee is starbucks. I goes sturbucks in the morning, between classes, after classes, and even before going to bed. Starbucks is way better than just going Cstreet and get a cap of coffee. When a staff make a coffee for me, it taste more delicious than the self-made. Also I love the atmosphere of starbucks.

Weekly writing 1

On 2008 August at the Democratic NAtional Convention, Michelle Obama delivered a speech to support her husband Barack Obama as a U.S. President. Her speech was powerful and moved audience's heart. The reason of her speech to be succesfully persuasive, is due to her choice of style.

Use of repetition is one of her stylistic choices. In the beginning of the speech, Michelle used the phrase of "I came here as..." many times. This technique is same as the one used in the famouse Martin Luther King's speech. In his speech, King constantly repeated the phrase "I have a dream...". Repeating a phrase not only makes speech easy for audience to follow, but also gives good rhythm and impact. Like King, Michelle kept her speech simple, rythmical, and powerful by using repetition. As a result, audience easily followed her, and did not forget what she had said.

Other key style that makes Michelle's speech successful is use of vocablaries. Througout her speech, she did not use any professional vocabraries such as politic or economic speciality terms. Instead, she used simple words that everyone understands. If she had used professional words, her speech could not be succesful becasue the audience will not able to understand what she is talking about. Morover, she used casual words alot. An example is "My dad was our rock". Instead of just saying "My dad was a great man", which is usually been used, her casual vocabrary gave more impact on her speech.

Use of joke is also one stylistic choice. When Michelle talked about the first time she met Barack Obama, she said "...even though he had this funny name,...". The use of joke could be sometimes risky. If a joke was extreme or excessive, the speech will be inappropriate and sometimes lose its seriousness and credibility. However, in Michelle's speech, the joke created positive impact and made a closer relationship with audience. For the joke to be successful, she made a joke that everyone will agree with. The name Barack Obama is not common name and most of people will agree if someone call it funny name. When audience and speaker agree on something, it created a connection between them. Michelle and audience's agreement on opinion for Obama's name made connection between them. When audience finds connection to their speaker, they gained affinity to Michelle and as a result, good relationship born.

The reason her choices of style made her speech persuasive is come with her understanding of audience. In other words, Michelle's speech became persuasive becasue she knew her audience, and therefore, she could use right styles for them. She used repetition becasue she knew that the audience had difficulty to follow long speech. She said "May dad was our rock", not "My dad was great man", because she knew about young populations in her audience. She used joke becasue she knew the audience is mostly Americans, and loves jokes.

In conclusion, her understanding of audience and her right choice of style for the audience is the key contribution to her persuasive speech. Her repeated phrase gives her speech a good rythm, and her audience could easily follow. Casual vocablary was used becasue she knew about young audience. She used joke becasue she knew that Americans love joke. All styles she chose gave good impact, connection between audience and good relationship with audience. Also, becasue she used right style for right audience, her speech became persuaseive. Right stylic choices for right audience: this is the conclusion for analyzing ultimate skills which Michelle Obama used in delivering her persuasive speech.

My major project ideas

Topic: Japanese culture and life style

Goal: to penetrate real Japanese culture, life style, people, history, and values to the world

1. whaling: whaling is criticised by world. Tell why Japanese people do it, and the importance of the whaling for them. Goal is to reduce anger and attacking from anti-whaling world.

2. Toyota Hybrit car: Transforming of world car into all hybrit.

3. Shintoism: Not many people knows about Shintoism whereas other religions are worldwide well-known.

4. Japanese eating habit: The good eating habit that many cultures should put into their own eating style.

5. Bath: Japanese people love to take bath. I was surprised people in other countries does not take bath. I want to know why Japanese people take bath a lot, what are good things about taking bath, historical and cultural background of it.

6. Japanese architecture: In japan, there are many thin buildings. It is very effective space use. I want to know how they manage spaces, and how their space management is good and how it should be more penetrated.

Exercise 1

Graff and Birkenstein argue that an academic writing have to have your opinion as response to some idea. A writing that only states your opinion is nonsense because nobody cares about your opinion if they are not interest in the topic. They also said that the response could be stated or implied. Also in course description, Professor Bammert argues that good Academic Writing should be response to some current issue. Good writing is not your position but how you response to other’s point of view. In both cases, academic writing need to be a response to some issue or problem.